The main objective of the first work package of the project (WP-1) was the investigation of the tuneability of conductive and the optical properties of PEDOT (polyethylene dioxythiophene) via the redox potential of the different anionic boron cluster containing doping agents. According to this theoretical data, the halogen substitution decrease the energy level both the HOMO and the LUMO, which was in good agreement with the earlier calculations. According these calculations, the non-halogenated parent compound is the easiest to oxidize, which has the more positive HOMO energy. The halogen substitution stabilized the LUMO as well, thus the halogenated species are easier to reduce. These data were in good agreement with the experimentally observed E1/2 values and these data show the redox potential of the doping anion is tuneable by halogen substitution as previously experimentally reported in the host group. Parallel with the theoretical calculations several halogenated cobaltabisdicarbollide [Co(C2B9HnX11-n)2]-, [COSAN]- derivatives were synthesized. The purity of the compounds was checked by analytical methods (e.g. NMR, MS, etc.). As it can be expected the properties (morphology, conductive properties, etc.) of the PEDOT polymer can be tuned with the different doping anions, but unfortunately the photophysical properties not. In all investigated cases the polymers were black. In case of the parent [Co(C2B9H11)2]- system we have investigated the role of the counter ion (H+, Li+, Na+, K+, Cs+) and its influence on the stoichiometry and physical chemical properties of resulting PEDOT polymer. Although, the [Co(C2B9H11)2]- anion can be considered as a non-coordinating anion, it binds to the accompanying cations with a distinct strength. This negatively charged unit interacts with the solvated cations distinctly. If the interaction is strong they form a relatively stable ion pair whereas if it is weak, the ions are free to move. Indeed, the application of different cations result in different polymers with different properties (electrochemical response, electronic conductivity, ionic conductivity and capacitance). The different cations can be classified into two class. In case of the Cs+ and H+ the ratio EDOT:[Co(C2B9H11)2]- is around 2:1 while in case of Li+, Na+, K+ the ratio is around 3:1. These results indicate that, for the [COSAN]- Cs+ and H+ salt the interaction with the doping anion is stronger, which was supported by DFT calculations as well.
The second work package aimed the synthesis of self-doped poli(p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV). In this work package, we had faced several synthetic problems. First we planned to link the monomer unit to the [Co(C2B9H11)2]- through its boron atom at the 8 position via a -(CH2)2-O-(CH2) 2-O- linker (starting from COSAN-dioxanate). The last step in the synthesis of functionalized synthon is a bromomethylation, which requires strong acidic media (glacial acetic acid, HBr). Under this condition, the B-O bond cleaved in the -CH2-O-B(cluster) branch of the COSAN derivative unit. Furthermore, the other B-H vertices are brominated and probably bromomethylated as well according the results of the mass spectra. To solve the B-O bond cleavage other alternative route was designed. The linker was planned to bounded to the [Co(C2B9H11)2]- unit through a -(CH2)4- linker (B-C bond), but in this case the cluster brominated as well, and the different products are not isolable. As a final attempt, the monomer unit was bound to the carbon atoms of the cluster (C-C(cluster) bond), but similar problems, due to the presence of different different brominated products occurred.
Other results which were triggered by the preliminary DFT studies of Work Package 1
The original proposal did not contain this work package, but the preliminary DFT calculations helped to understand of the properties of some related systems, which were investigated in the research group. Investigating the Kohn-Sahm orbitals of the [COSAN]- anion and the results of the time-dependent DFT calculations it can be established that ligand to metal charge transfer transition occurres, which help to understand some unique behavior of [COSAN]- anion. (submitted manuscript: I. Guerrero, Z. Kelemen, C. Viñas, M. Romero, F. Teixidor ).
The preliminary time-dependent DFT studies were extended to m-carborane and o-carborane containing systems. In the case of meta isomer calculations revealed that the aggregate state emission behavior of these novel systems strongly depends on the structure. Small changes in their structures have caused variations in the photophysical properties, especially in the quantum efficiency. These results were published (M. Chaari, Z. Kelemen, J. G. Planas, F. Teixidor, D. Choquesillo-Lazarte, A. B. Salah, C. Viñas, R. Núñez, J. Mat. Chem. C 2018, 6, 11336-11347).
In case of iodo-substituted o-carborane derivatives it was demonstrated that, the reactivity of B-I vertices are different in the tetraiodinated-o-carborane. As the calculations suggested the tetraarylation of o-carborane will be completed only at higher temperature. (publication was selected for inside back cover: Z. Kelemen, A Pepiol, M Lupu, R Sillanpää, M Hänninen, F. Teixidor, C. Viñas Chem. Comm. 2019, 55, 8927-8930).
